pants? crops? shorts?

This blog post was written by lululemon and posted on March 10, 2011 at 10:53 am

we asked: pants, crops or shorts?

Last week there was a question buzzing around the Digital team: what do you love to work out in: pants, crops or shorts? We spun it to our friends on Facebook and got a tidal wave of feedback. Bottom line is this: everyone has an opinion. The question is really not that simple but people really love whatever they choose.

crops?

If Goldilocks shopped at our store, we're pretty sure she would only buy crops. The consensus is that they're not too cool, not too hot, not too short and not too long - they're just right. Perhaps the ultimate in versatility, here's what people love about crops.

They have built-in air conditioning. That breeze on the calves feels so right when you're working so hard.

You can get a grip in hot yoga. A lot of guests like how they can hold tree pose more easily with a little help from their crops.

Spin class has no surprises. There's no chance of catching a hem in a pedal.

Your skin can come out to play. If you've been working on toning your legs but shorts are still a bit frightening, crops are the perfect choice. (You have to start somewhere, right?)

shorts?

'Tis almost the season for sunscreen and sandals. In the summer months, most people whip out their shorts for their workouts but even guests outside of California, Florida and Arizona wear shorts all year long. Here's why.

Hello, maximum freedom! Nothing feels better than wearing nothing at all and shorts are the closest thing.

You can wear them like a trophy. The best reward is feeling fearless in your Speed Shorts.

They go the distance. Clocking major miles in shorts is the way to go for all our marathoners out there.

You can't hide. They're the ultimate "hold me accountable for my form" sign for instructors worldwide, a major plus for those looking to take their fitness up a notch.

if you're here to shop

We offer a lot of our favourite styles in varied hem lengths so you don't have to choose one fit over another. You can find your favourite Groove fit in pants, crops and shorts. Same goes for the Relaxed Fit and Wunder Unders. (FACT: The Boogie Shorts fit just like your favourite pair of versatile tights. Don't let the name fool you.)

No matter which style you choose, there are things to know before you buy. If flat seams, gussets, hidden pockets and moisture-wicking luon are words you're unfamiliar with, check out a few other blogs to get familiar with the basics.

read more related posts:

Shorts all the way! Still working out those legs to be able to wear those shorter “Run” shorts fearlessly, but those Groove shorts are wonderful. A little cold when your skin makes contact with the machines at the gym, but there doesn’t seem to be a Groove-crop equivalent. I think you guys have released another pair like the Groove shorts that don’t flare out as much – I am hoping to try them on if my local store has them. Never tried the Wunder Unders and other similar items though… still need some convincing that they’re better than my leggings I already have.

crops all the way… Compression for running, less leg movement and no chaf for running. Hit it just the right spot to not bind behind the knee and cause any further vien issues, and long enough that my ultra pale skin isn’t blinding the rest of the crowd!

hey im coming off an injury (IT band) and saw this “Muscles stay warm. Cold-weather runners and yin-yogis agree. Injury prevention never looked better. Wicking fabrics mean you’re warm without being sweaty.” What is the significance of that? I’m shorts all the way, but am wondering if pants/ leggings will prevent my legs from getting so stiff while I’m still recovering? Or does it not make a difference at all. Would love the input.

Good questions, Leila! Wicking fabrics pull the sweat away from your body, keeping you dry and comfortable. You might find that wearing pants helps your muscles warm up faster, or keeps them warmer, than wearing shorts. I’m not sure if this will impact your IT band at all, so I suggest speaking with your doctor or physical therapist.
~ Laura, GEC Online Community

I purchased the Groove Pant, as well as, the Groove Pant cropped leg. I was very disappointed as after the first wash they had balls or pills all over them. I am very athletic and have years of workout clothes and different brands. I have had many other brands of yoga and workout pants and have had many of them for years. I thought Lululemon’s would have looked fine and worn nicely for at least awhile when the price is more high end one would think the quality would be there. I took them back and asked and they were nice and exchanged them. I’d explained then that I only wash them with all JUST workout clothes, never with towels etc. I hung the two original pairs and did not put them in the dryer. Now, with the two new pairs they exchanged for me I have been hand washing them every time and hanging them to dry and they STILL have balls/pills all over them? I can’t imagine that I am the only person with this problem as I am hand washing them and they are doing that and look like I have had them forever. I am disappointed and maybe should try the lycra material pant but I nervous to spend the money and have them too look very worn after having worn them only a couple times. Thank you for any suggestions, Meg

Hi Meg,
I’m sorry to hear about your Groove Pant and Crop. It sounds like you may be seeing some abrasion in addition to pilling.

With pilling, cotton is the culprit. Luon grabs onto cotton fibres and creates the little “pills”. It’s best to wash your luon separately from cotton pieces. Even a cotton tee has the potential to cause some pilling. For the pilling you’re seeing now, a fabric shaver or de-piller can help remove it.

You might also be seeing abrasion, which is that “fuzzy” look the material gets as a result of friction. This is especially common in high-wear areas like the inner thigh, seat, and areas where a bag or purse might rub. It happens with wear, and can also be minimized with a fabric shaver.

I suggest heading back to one of our stores and speaking with an educator about proper care for you luon, and maybe some suggestions for alternatives.
~ Laura, GEC Online Community

You forgot the oh so comfortable, oh so practical, feminine and just plain good looking skirt. I would love to see some all-round pleated, mid-thigh, solid non-neon coloured or stripe workout skirts, without the shorts built into them since this is my favourite bottom for working out.

The reason I would prefer them without the shorts is that that way they become much more versatile.

For a warm summer day, all you need is the skirt for a run. For a winter day, pair with a skin-tight pant. If you feel you want some extra coverage to avoid flashing (like in yoga class) put on a pair of shorts underneath. Really, skirts are amazing. Plus, for someone who can get pretty bloated and sensitive once a month, it is nice to have something that is loose and free flowing and does not press into you.

For running, I survived winter half-marathon training in my inspire crops and can’t imagine running in anything else. They fit like a dream, feel so smooth, preventing any chafing. I am a loss of what to do when the heat of summer comes as I train for my first marathon! Regular running shorts just won’t work for me. Please make some shorts in that fabulous luxtreme fabric!!

I had a lot of running crop tight from other brand and I found very confortable for running during the beginning of Autumn (I live in the north of Italy).
I also started Yoga during Winter and I tried them but they are not so comfortable for Yoga, too.

Why don’t any of your pants go up to the waist? Just because a person wears a size 6 doesn’t mean they don’t have layers of belly fat hanging down over the waistline of your low waist pants. Unattractive to the point of distraction in Yoga class.

@Barbara: Our educators at the Guest Education Centre are at the phones ready and excited to help you out! If you have any questions about certain styles, sizes, colours, or anything(!) give us a call – 1.877.263.9300, option 2, and we can give you some recommendations based on your specific needs.

@Diane: Our pants vary in rises, so some will go higher or lower than others. You might like something like the Still Pant (http://shop.lululemon.com/store/productdetails.aspx?productid=1420&colorid=10956&sli=1). It is a high-rise, loose fitting, luon pant. We do recommend sizing down once in the Still Pant, as they are quite loose fitting throughout the pant. If you have any more questions about rises, or sizes, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at the Guest Education Centre, 1.877.263.9300, option 2.

Do you ever plan to have petite crops? Your crops come right down to my ankles because I’m short and that’s not always the best look I love the crops on others and I am dieing for a pair of my own! Please please please help us short petite chicas. I am not a big girl, just would love a 4 short instead of regular for my little legs. Thanks!

Hey Caitlin,
Thanks for your question! Our designers tend to have a mix of crop lengths for the season, so everyone has something to choose from. If you love a particular style but are finding even the shorter crops are too long, you could get them hemmed. All of our stores offer complimentary hemming on our products, so this could be an option for you. Thanks again and I will forward your feedback onto our design team.
~Jenna

Meg and CB – I’m also having trouble with pilling. Thank you for the comment about the fabric shaver. I was worried about that. There appears to be a flaw in the fabric – it is much worse in one area on my crops – along the outer left thigh. I’m going to go into the store with them and see what they say. My $30 work out pants from Zellers are holding up better than my Lulu! And I’ve had them for longer. They just don’t fit as nice.

I LOVE your ASTRO waistband!!!!!!! I do hot yoga and wear the crops and leggings in the asto design and love that you can roll it down. I really like the LOWER rise it creates. PLEASE don’t stop making the shorter length pants with the asto waist!! I would love to see some pants in camo. I think it would be really fun. I also have pilling with the workout clothes. Worried about using the shaver now after seeing post about it making a hole in the pants??? I have had the 3 pair for less than 1 year???

I’m looking for a very specefic pair of crop pants. They are black and then at the top they have 3 different blue and white designs. One is a stripe, zig zag and flower print. Thank you ~ Emily Butzine

Hi Emily,
It sounds like you’re looking for the Astro Wunder Under Crop. We don’t have the exact pattern in stock that you’re looking for as that was part of a previous season however we do have similar ones in stock: http://bit.ly/XglAzy If you’d like to place an order for one, give us a ring at the GEC (1.877.263.9300) and we can help do that!
~ Siya
Social Media Educator

I bought a pair of run inspire crop II’s in the summer and have worn them maybe 5 times at most and there is lots of pilling below one side of the back zipper pocket. I know that this area can possibly be a friction area however I’ve never worn anything tight overtop at the waistband. I’m afraid to use a de-piller for fear of wrecking them. What should I do?